Demulsifier composition and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

Novel demulsifier compositions, their method of preparation and use as demulsifiers are described. The novel demulsifiers comprise the partially condensed reaction product of a blend of at least two oxyalkylated materials with a vinyl monomer. The demulsifiers are useful in the resolution of water-in-oil emulsions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to novel demulsifier compositions and to methodsof demulsification using same. More particularly, the invention relatesto novel demulsifying agents for use in processes adapted forpreventing, breaking or resolving emulsions of the water-in-oil type,particularly petroleum emulsions.

More particularly, the present invention relates to novel demulsifiercompositions comprising the partially condensed reaction product of ablend of at least two oxyalkylated materials and a vinyl monomer.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide aprocess for resolving water-in-oil emulsions.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel demulsifyingcompositions as described herein.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a method ofpreparation of the novel demulsifier compositions described herein.

2. Prior Art

A wide variety of oxyalkylated materials are known to be demulsifiersfor the resolution of water-in-oil emulsions. For example, it is wellknown that demulsifiers have been prepared from the condensation ofdiglycidyl ethers with polyoxyalkylene glycols and that suchdemulsifiers have been used to resolve certain crude oil emulsions.Note, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,792,352-357 and U.S. Pat. No.3,383,326 and EP Nos. 055433-34.

It is also known that such compositions release the water resulting fromthe resolved emulsion faster and more completely when blended with moresuitable water coalescing agents such as oxyalkylated adducts ofphenol-formaldehyde resins, polyalkylene polyamines and the like. NoteU.S. Pat. No. 3,511,882.

Further improvements have been realized by further heating andcondensing such blends. Note U.S. Pat. No. 3,383,325.

It is also known that water-in-oil emulsions may be resolved bydemulsifiers resulting from the reaction of a polyoxyalkylene alcoholwith an unsaturated reactant and further reacting the product so formedwith an oxygen or nitrogen-containing vinyl addition monomer to affordpolyhydric substituted polyethylene backbone emulsion breakers. NoteCanadian No. 1,010,740.

Despite the fact that many demulsifiers have been found for resolvingwater-in-oil emulsions, the oil processing and servicing industries arecontinually looking for more effective demulsifiers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with novel demulsifier compositionscomprising the partially condensed reaction product of a blend of atleast two oxyalkylated materials, such as alkylene oxideblock-containing copolymers, e.g., alkylene oxide block copolymerscontaining different alkylene oxide blocks, alkylene oxide/phenolicblock copolymers and alkylene oxide/amine block copolymers, at least oneof which is derived from the condensation of a polyoxyalkylene glycoland a diglycidyl ether, with a vinyl monomer and the use of such noveldemulsifiers in the resolution of water-in-oil emulsions, particularlypetroleum emulsions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It has now been discovered that substantial further improvements in thedemulsification activity of such materials may be achieved byco-reaction thereof, under free radical conditions, with vinyl monomersfollowed by partial condensation at elevated temperatures.

THE OXYALKYLATED REACTANTS

One class of oxyalkylated reactants utilized in the present invention iswell known to those skilled in the demulsification art, as is its methodof preparation. Such reactants comprise, for example, the condensationproducts of bisphenol A diglycidyl ethers with polyoxyalkylene glycols,i.e., alkylene oxide block copolymers.

Suitable polyoxyalkylene glycols include polyoxypropylene glycol,polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene glycols,polyoxybutylene/polyoxypropylene/polyoxybutylene glycols,polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene glycols and the like.Also included are mono-, di- or polyhydroxy compounds which, whenoxyalkylated and reacted with diepoxides, yield water-in-oildemulsifiers.

Suitable diepoxides include commercially available materials such asDow's "DER" resins, Ciba's "ARALDITE" resins and the like. Similarbisphenol A diglycidyl ethers are available from many sources. Variousother diepoxides are suitable, if such diepoxides when condensed withoxyalkylated materials, yield water-in-oil demulsifiers. Note, forexample, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,854,461 and 2,792,352-357. Because of priceand availability, the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A is preferred. Ithas the formula: ##STR1##

Other diepoxides having substantially similar functionality includebis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methane-diglycidyl ether,bis(4-hydroxy-3,3-dimethylphenyl)methane diglycidyl ether,bis(4-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorophenyl)methane diglycidyl ether,1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenol)ethane diglycidyl ether,2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenol)propane diglycidyl ether,2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)propane diglycidyl ether,2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorophenyl)propane diglycidyl ether,bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenylmethane diglycidyl ether,(4-hydroxyphenyl)diphenylmethane diglycidyl ether,1,1bis(4-hydroxyphenyl cyclohexane diglycidyl ether,4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl diglycidyl ether, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfonediglycidyl ether, and the like.

Another class of oxyalkylated reactants is exemplified by oxyalkylatedphenolic resins prepared by the reaction of phenolic resins withalkylene oxide (i.e, alkylene oxide/phenolic block copolymers) such asethylene oxide,propylene oxide, butylene oxide and the like or mixturesthereof. Examples of phenolic resins which may be oxyalkylated to affordthe oxyalkylated reactants used herein are t-amylphenol/formaldehyderesins, t-butylphenol/formaldehyde resins, nonylphenol/formaldehyderesins and mixed butyl/amyl/nonylphenol/formaldehyde resins and thelike. In general, the phenol/formaldehyde resins which are suitable areany of such resins which are known to yield, upon oxyalkylation,materials which are useful as water-in-oil demulsifiers.

Another class of oxyalkylated reactants is exemplified by oxyalkylatedpolyamides which are prepared by the reaction of polyamines withethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide and the like (i.e.,alkylene oxide/amine block copolymers). Examples of polyamines which maybe utilized to afford the oxyalkylated polyamide reactants used hereininclude polyalkylene polyamines such as diethylene triamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylene pentamine, dipropylene triamine, tripropylenetetramine, hexamethylene diamine, bishexamethylene triamine and thelike. Also useful are phenol/amine/formaldehyde condensates which, uponoxyalkylation, are known to afford water-in-oil demulsifiers.

VINYL REACTANTS

The vinyl monomers which are suitable for use in preparing thedemulsifier compositions may be defined as any vinyl monomer which,under free radical conditions, will coreact with the blend ofoxyalkylated materials with loss of its vinyl unsaturation and/or willintroduce reactive groups which will play a role during the subsequentpartial condensation reaction and improve the activity of the finalproduct as a water-in-oil demulsifier.

Examples of vinyl monomers which may be used in the present inventioninclude acrylic and methacrylic acids and their esters, vinyl esterssuch as vinyl formate, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate and the like,acrylonitrile, styrene and other vinyl aromatics, vinyl pyridine, vinylpyrrolidone, acrylamide, maleic anhydride and its esters and half estersand the like. In general, the vinyl monomer may be any unsaturatedcompound capable of free radical polymerization and coreaction withblends of oxyalkylated reactants.

Preferred vinyl monomers include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid,2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, maleic anhydride and thelike.

ADDITION OF VINYL MONOMER REACTANT TO ALKYLENE OXIDE BLOCK COPOLYMER

Alkylene oxide block copolymer and vinyl monomer reactants describedabove are reacted to form an intermediate product of the invention underfree radical polymerization conditions.

Free radical catalysts which are useful in the reaction includecommercially available azo and inorganic and orgaic peroxide initiatorssuch as ammonium acetate, hydrogen peroxide, dilauroyl peroxide, t-butylperoxide, 2,2-di(butyl peroxy)butane, dicumyl peroxide,2,2-azobis(2-methyl propionitrile), 2-butylazo-2-cyanobutane,4(t-butylperoxycarbonyl)-3-hexyl-6-(7-(t-butylperoxycarbonyl)heptyl)cyclohexaneand the like.

Preferred catalysts include dibenzoyl peroxide, diacetyl peroxide,dilauroyl peroxide, t-butyl perbenzoate, t-amyl peroctanoate, dicumylperoxide and the like. In general, the preferred catalysts are organicperoxides which decompose between about 50° and 140° C. and are known toinduce grafting. The catalyst may comprise from about 2 to about 40% byweight of the monomer added. Preferably, the catalyst comprises fromabout 10 to about 20% by weight of the monomer added.

The temperature of the reaction may be from about 40° to 140° C.,preferably from about 60° to about 120° C., especially from about 80° toabout 100° C. Ideally, the temperature is chosen to be equal to the 10hour half-life temperature of the catalyst.

The reaction may be conducted in bulk or in solution over a period oftime of from about 2 to about 10 hours under ambient pressureconditions.

The reaction between the alkylene oxide block copolymers and vinylmonomer reactant is generally continued until the presence of monomer isno longer detected.

The weight percent of vinyl monomer reactant to neat oxyalkylatedreactant will be in the range of from about 1 to about 50%, preferablyfrom about 3 to about 25%, especially from about 5 to about 20% (weightpercent calculated as vinyl equivalents of acrylic acid).

PARTIAL CONDENSATION

The intermediate product formed by the reaction of the alkylene oxideblock copolymer mixture and the vinyl monomer reactant is subjected topartial condensation under elevated temperature conditions. In general,the partial condensation is carried out at about pH 5 or less and atemperature of from about 100° to about 200° C. depending on the solventazeotrope boiling point. Preferably, a temperature of 150°-170° C. isdesired. The condensation is conducted over a period of from about 6 toabout 30 hours, preferably from about 8 to about 20 hours, especiallyfrom about 12 to about 16 hours. The optimum time period varies, due todependence on pH and the reagents used in the previous step.

The products formed by co-reacting the blend of oxyalkylated reactants,or their derivatives, with a vinyl monomer followed by subsequentcondensation affords demulsifier compositions which have substantiallyincreased improvement in demulsifier activity over the originaloxyalkylated materials.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a blend of at least twooxyalkylated reactants, one of which is based on a condensate ofpolyoxypropylene glycol and the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, isreacted with acrylic acid under free radical conditions and partiallycondensed to afford the final product.

In any case, whether two, three or more oxyalkylated reactants areblended for subsequent reaction with a vinyl monomer reactant, it ispreferred that one of the oxyalkylate reactants is based upon acondensate of a polyoxyalkylene glycol and a diglycidyl ether ofbisphenol A.

In some cases, this oxyalkylate reactant is further oxyalkylated priorto reaction with the vinyl monomer. Thus for example, a condensate of apolyoxyalkylene glycol and a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A may befurther oxyalkylated to afford the initial oxyalkylate material.

The following, non-limiting examples illustrate specific embodiments ofthe invention, including the best mode of practice thereof.

In the following sections A, B and C, examples are given for thepreparation of diepoxide condensates, resin oxyalkylates and amineoxyalkylates. Section D describes the preparation of the noveldemulsifiers from blends of A, B, C materials by reaction with vinylmonomers. Section E illustrates activity as demulsifiers.

A. Condensation Products Prepared with Diglycidyl Ethers

Polyoxyalkylene glycols to be used in condensates with diepoxides wereprepared by addition of the desired alkylene oxide or a mixture of twoor more oxides to a suitable monohydric or polyhydric compound. Thereaction conditions vary somewhat depending on the alkylene oxide used,but generally the temperature employed will be within the range of about90°-160° C. A small amount of alkaline catalyst is needed for polyglycolformation. Preferred catalysts include potassium hydroxide, sodiumhydroxide and sodium hydride with a concentration of about 0.1 to 0.8weight percent, based on finished product. A non-exclusive list ofsuitable alcohols, phenols and glycols includes normal and branchedalcohols, phenols, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, butylene glycol,glycerin, pentaerythritol and the like. Table A-1, below illustratesnon-limiting examples of suitable polyoxyalkylene glycols.

                  TABLE A-1                                                       ______________________________________                                        EX-                                                                           AM-  OXYALKYLATED   OXIDE    WT.  OXIDE  WT.                                  PLE  MATERIAL       #1*      %    #2     %                                    ______________________________________                                        1    n-Butanol      PrO      12.8 EtO    10                                   2    Dipropylene glycol                                                                           PrO      20.7 --     --                                   3    Dipropylene glycol                                                                           PrO      100  EtO    20                                   4    Dipropylene glycol                                                                           PrO      100  EtO     5                                   5    Dipropylene glycol                                                                           PrO      75   --     --                                   6    Dipropylene glycol                                                                           PrO      27.5 EtO     7.1                                 7    Dipropylene glycol                                                                           PrO      40   EtO    10.0                                 8    Glycerine      PrO      15   EtO    15.0                                 9    Glycerine      PrO/EtO  --   --     37.5                                 10   Glycerine      PrO      150  EtO    50                                   11   Diethylene glycol                                                                            EtO       5   PrO    125                                  12   Diethylene glycol                                                                            EtO      27.5 PrO    75                                   13   Dipropylene glycol                                                                           BuO      60   --     --                                   14   Butylene glycol                                                                              BuO      20.5 EtO     1.5                                 15   Dipropylene glycol                                                                           PrO      28.4 EtO    20.5                                 ______________________________________                                         *PrO = propylene oxide, EtO -- ethylene oxide, BuO = butylene oxide      

Preparation of diepoxide condensates with the type of polyoxyalkyleneglycols illustrated in Table A-1 is carried out according to thefollowing general procedure:

Reaction of polyoxyalkylene glycols with diglycidyl ethers take place attemperatures from 70°-160° C., preferably between about 80° and about120° C. Generally, the reaction is carried out without solvent, althoughthe reaction can also be carried out in the presence of an inert organicsolvent. Normally the molar ratio of polyoxyalkylene glycol todiglycidyl ether is from about 1:0.5 to about 1:1. At the 1:1 ratio,crosslinking may become pronounced and may result in insoluble lumpymaterial.

To minimize insolubles, the total amount of diglycidyl ether ispreferably added in two or three steps, rather than all at once.

The reaction takes place in the presence of alkaline catalysts. Usually,the catalyst that is present in the freshly prepared polyoxyalkyleneglycols is all that is needed to prepare the condensate with thediglycidyl ether.

The reaction can also be catalyzed by Lewis acid-type catalysts, such asZnCl₂, BF₃ -etherates and the like. In this case, the residual catalystfrom the initial oxyalkylation is first neutralized, followed by thesubsequent addition of the Lewis acid.

The reaction time depends on the temperature and is generally stoppedwhen the epoxy number of the condensate has decreased to 2 or less.

Non-limiting examples illustrating these types of condensates are givenin Table A-2.

                  TABLE A-2                                                       ______________________________________                                             POLYOXY-                                                                 EX-  ALKYLENE     PARTS     BISPHENOL A                                       AM-  GLYCOL FROM  BY        DIGLYCIDYLETHER                                   PLE  EXAMPLE NO.  WEIGHT    (parts by weight)                                 ______________________________________                                        16    1           100       10                                                17    5           100       12.5                                              18    4           100       7                                                 19    8           100       5                                                 20   13           100       12.5                                              21   11           100       12.3                                              22   10           100       2.5                                               23   12           100       12                                                24   14           100       5                                                 25    3           100       10                                                ______________________________________                                    

Polyoxyalkylene glycol/diepoxide condensates as illustrated in Table A-2can be further oxyalkylated using a procedure similar to that for thepolyoxyalkylene glycol preparation. Table A-3 gives a few non-limitingexamples of oxyalkylated diepoxide/polyoxyalkyleneglycol condensates.

                  TABLE A-3                                                       ______________________________________                                        EXAM-  CONDENSATE FROM   OXIDE #1  OXIDE #2                                   PLE    EXAMPLE NO (parts/wt)                                                                           (Parts/Wt)                                                                              (Parts/Wt)                                 ______________________________________                                        26     16-1              PrO - 0.37                                                                              --                                         27     17-100            PrO - 15  --                                         28     19-100            PrO - 15  EtO - 10                                   29     17-50             EtO - 6   PrO - 2.25                                 30     22-100            PrO - 100 --                                         31     17-100            EtO - 125 --                                         32     24-75             PrO - 50  EtO - 25                                   33     25-100            EtO - 12  --                                         34     17-100            EtO - 12.5                                                                              --                                         35     20-100            PrO - 134 --                                         36     20-100            EtO - 26  PrO - 39                                   37     18-100            EtO - 15  PrO - 36                                   38     23-50             PrO - 12.5                                                                              --                                         39     21-50             PrO - 60  --                                         ______________________________________                                    

B. Alkylphenol/formaldehyde Resins and their Oxyalkylation Products

The following examples illustrate the general method of preparation foracid or base catalyzed phenol/formaldehyde resins and theiroxyalkylates.

Acid Catalyzed Resins:

An acid catalyzed butyl phenol-formaldehyde resin was prepared asfollows:

A vessel equipped with a stirrer, water trap with reflux condenser,thermometer, and addition tube reaching close to the bottom of thevessel is charged with 160 parts of a hydrocarbon solvent containingabout 78% aromatic hydrocarbons and boiling over a range fromapproximately 175° to 290° C., 8 parts of a 50% solution of crudealkylnaphthalenesulfonic acid in an aromatic solvent, and 168 parts ofcrude tertiary butylphenol containing 10.4% kerosene. This mixture isheated to 135° C. and stirred to effect solution.

Then 89 parts of 37% aqueous formaldehyde solution is added through theaddition tube below the surface of the solution while maintaining atemperature of 135° C. Stirring at this temperature is maintained untilno more aqueous distillate is removed, after which 4 parts of 50%caustic soda solution is added followed by 60 parts of aromatichydrocarbon solvent having approximately the same boiling range as thehydrocarbon solvent originally charged. The solution is heated again to135° C. and maintained at this temperature under reduced pressure untilno more water can be removed before cooling to yield thephenol-formaldehyde resin solution in the hydrocarbon vehicle.

Base Catalyzed Resins:

A reactor was charged with 24.5 lbs. of tert-butyl phenol, 6 lbs. ofpara formaldehyde and 57.25 lbs. of xylene. The above charge was heatedto 50° C. and 0.213 lbs. of 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide was added. Theproduct was heated to 90° C. and held there for 0.5 hours, then heatedto reflux. Reflux began at 135° C. and gradually increased to 145° C.under azeotropic conditions to remove 4.0 lbs. aqueous layer and 2.25lbs. solvent. Total time at reflux was 41/2 hours.

The foregoing examples illustrate the production of suitable resins fromphenol and formaldehyde. Non-limiting phenol examples include: cresol;ethyl-phenol; 3-methyl-4-ethyl-phenol; 3-methyl-4-propyl-phenol;propyl-phenol; tertiary-butyl-phenol; secondary-butyl-phenol;tertiary-amyl-phenol; secondary-amyl-phenol; tertiary-hexyl-phenol;isooctylphenol; phenyl-phenol; thymol; benzyl-phenol; cyclohexyl-phenol;tertiary-decyl-phenol; dodedyl-phenol; tetradecyl-phenol;octadecyl-phenol; nonyl-phenyl; eicosanyl-phenol; docosanyl-phenol;tetracosanyl-phenol; beta-napthyl-phenol; alpha-naphthyl-phenol;pentadecyl-phenol; and the like.

Resin Oxyalkylation:

The resin solution is transferred to a pressure reactor or autoclaveequipped with a means of external (electric) heating, internal coolingand efficient mechanical agitation. The resin is heated to 120°-140° C.and the alkylene oxide or mixture of oxides is charged into the reactoruntil the pressure is 25-75 psi. The reaction is usually completed in 2to 12 hours depending upon the nature of the reactants.

In Table B, a cross-section of suitable resin oxyalkylates for use inthe present invention is given.

                  TABLE B                                                         ______________________________________                                               PHENOL                                                                 EXAM-  USED IN               PrO     EtO                                      PLE    RESIN      CATALYST   (Parts/Wt)                                                                            (Parts/Wt)                               ______________________________________                                        40     t-Butyl-   Acid       19.8    --                                       41     t-Butyl-   Acid       12.7    0.75                                     42     t-Butyl-   Acid       0.8     0.4                                      43     t-Butyl-   Acid       20.0    7.0                                      44     t-Amyl-    Acid       --      1.0                                      45     t-Butyl-   Acid       1.1     0.17                                     46     t-Butyl-   Acid       4.4     1.0                                      47     Nonyl-     Acid       --      1.2                                      48     Nonyl-     Acid       10.45   1.20                                     49     Nonyl-     Acid       2.8     2.5                                      50     Nonyl-     Cyclohexyl 1.75    --                                                         Amine                                                       51     Butyl/Nonyl                                                                              Base       0.8     0.2                                      52     Nonyl      Acid       30.0    7.0                                      53     Nonyl      Diethylene 1.84    1.62                                                       Triamine                                                    54     t-Amyl     Acid       2.1     1.9                                      55     t-Amyl     Base       0.4     0.2                                      56     t-Butyl    Butylamine 1.1     1.1                                      57     Butyl/Nonyl                                                                              Base       --      0.5                                      ______________________________________                                    

C. Amine Oxyalkylates:

Into a stainless steel autoclave with the usual devices for heating,heat control, stirrer, inlet, outlet, etc., which is conventional inthis type of apparatus was charged 500 grams of triethylene tetramine,300 grams of xylene, and 15 grams of sodium methylate. The autoclave wassealed, swept with nitrogen gas and stirring started immediately andheat applied. The temperature was allowed to rise to approximately 145°C. At this particular time the addition of butylene oxide was started.The butylene oxide employed was a mixture of the straight chain isomersubstantially free from isobutylene oxide. It was added continuously atsuch speed that it was absorbed by the reaction as added. The amountadded in this operation was 1500 grams. The time required to add thebutylene oxide was two hours. During this period the temperature wasmaintained at 130° C. to 145° C. using cooling water through the innercoils when necessary and otherwise applying heat if required. Themaximum pressure during the reaction was 50 pounds per square inch.

Table C presents non-limiting examples of suitable oxyalkylated aminesthat may be used in the present invention.

                                      TABLE C                                     __________________________________________________________________________    EXAMPLE                                                                              AMINE           OXIDE #1 Parts/Wt                                                                           OXIDE #2                                                                              Parts/Wt                         __________________________________________________________________________    58     Triethylene tetramine                                                                         Propylene Oxide                                                                        45.5 Ethylene Oxide                                                                        17.5                             59     Tetraethylene pentamine                                                                       Propylene Oxide                                                                        60.0 Ethylene Oxide                                                                        30.0                             60     Trishydroxymethylaminomethane                                                                 Propylene Oxide                                                                        60.0 Ethylene Oxide                                                                        30.0                             61     Triethylene tetramine                                                                         Propylene Oxide                                                                        24.0 Ethylene Oxide                                                                        11.0                             62     Diethylene triamine                                                                           Ethylene Oxide                                                                         0.42 --                                       63     Ethylene diamine                                                                              Propylene Oxide                                                                        49.0 --                                       64     Triethylene tetramine                                                                         Propylene Oxide                                                                        80.0 Ethylene Oxide                                                                        40.0                             __________________________________________________________________________

D. Reactions of blends of oxyalkylates from Tables A-2, A-3, B and Cwith vinyl monomers to prepare the novel compositions of this invention

The following procedure illustrates the method for preparation of thecompositions of this invention:

To a 4-necked flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, heating device,means to remove distillate and nitrogen purge system were added 44.8parts of the oxyalkylated reactant of Example 31, 18.4 parts of Example42, 10.0 parts of Example 58, 5.0 parts of acrylic acid, 1.0 partbenzoyl peroxide, 0.4 part of muriatic acid, and 100 parts of anaromatic hydrocarbon solvent. The mixture was then heated to 80° C. for8 hours during the coreaction step to form the intermediate product. Theintermediate product was heated for 16 hours at 160° C. to remove 0.6parts of water during the condensation step. Upon cooling, 5.6 parts ofaromatic hydrocarbon solvent was added. This is Example 65 in Table D.

The example described above is typical of the preparation of thecompositions of this invention. The examples of this invention will varydepending on which component from Tables A-2, A-3, B or C are used. Theexamples will also vary by choice and amount of vinyl monomer. Thetemperature and initiator during the coreaction of the vinyl monomer andthe choice of an acid catalyst for the condensation may also vary. Thepreparation of illustrative compositions of this invention has beensummarized in Table D.

                                      TABLE D                                     __________________________________________________________________________           OXYALKYLATED                                                                              PARTS                                                                              OXYALKYLATED                                                                              PARTS                                                                              OXYALKYLATED                                REACTANT    BY   REACTANT    BY   REACTANT FROM                        EXAMPLE                                                                              FROM EXAMPLE                                                                              WT   FROM EXAMPLE                                                                              WT   EXAMPLE     PARTS BY                 __________________________________________________________________________                                                         WT                       65     --          --   31          44.8 42          18.4                     66     --          --   31          44.8 42          18.4                     67     --          --   31          44.8 42          18.4                     68     --          --   31          44.8 42          18.4                     69     --          --   31          44.8 42          18.4                     70     --          --   31          44.8 42          18.4                     71     --          --   31          44.8 42          18.4                     72     --          --   31          44.8 42          18.4                     73     17          53.2 --          --   42          18.4                     74     --          --   31          44.8 42          18.4                     75     --          --   34          55.7 42          27.9                                                              47          10.1                                                              54          5.0  BLEND                                                        55          31.0                     76     17          55.1 --          --   52          41.5                                                                               BLEND                                                        47          41.5                     77     17          39.9 --          --   51          16.1                                                                               BLEND                                                        43          10.6                     __________________________________________________________________________                       OXYALKYLATED                                                                  REACTANT FROM                                                          EXAMPLE                                                                              EXAMPLE     PARTS BY WT                                                                            VINYL MONOMER PARTS BY                __________________________________________________________________________                                                          WT                                  65     58          10.0     Acrylic Acid  5.0                                 66     58          10.0     Acrylic Acid  10.0                                67     58          10.0     Acrylic Acid  15.0                                68     58          10.0     Methacrylic Acid                                                                            5.0                                 69     58          10.0     Vinyl Acetate 10.0                                70     58          10.0     2-Hydroxyethylmethacrylate                                                                  10.0                                71     58          10.0     Acrylonitrile 10.0                                72     58          10.0     Methyl Acrylate                                                                             10.0                                73     58          10.0     Acrylic Acid  10.0                                74     59          10.0     Acrylic Acid  10.0                                75     --          --       Acrylic Acid  5.0                                 76     --          --       Acrylic Acid  10.0                                77     --          --       Acrylic Acid  5.0                     __________________________________________________________________________

E. Demulsification with novel compositions of this invention

The compositions of this invention were evaluated by the methodgenerally referred to as the "Bottle Test", described in "Treating OilField Emulsions" second edition, issued by Petroleum Extension Serviceand the Texas Education Agency in cooperation with the AmericanPetroleum Institute, 1955, (revised 1962) pages 39-44. These evaluationswere carried out at wells at various locations as listed below in TableE.

                  TABLE E                                                         ______________________________________                                        FIELD               LOCATION                                                  ______________________________________                                        North Midway        California                                                Baxterville         Mississippi                                               Kinsella            Alberta, Canada                                           Thompson            Texas                                                     West Criner         Oklahoma                                                  Pennel              Montana                                                   Hufford             Kansas                                                    Bouldin Crow B      Texas                                                     Laguna Once         Venezuela                                                 Athabasca Tar Sands Alberta, Canada                                           Little Buffalo      Wyoming                                                   Electra             Texas                                                     Salem               Illinois                                                  Oregon Basin        Wyoming                                                   Tia Juana Pesado    Venezuela                                                 ______________________________________                                    

It should be understood that specific responses by a particular crude toa specific composition, as described by this bottle test, will varywidely due to the great variety in the nature, composition, character,production method, temperature of the crude oil in question and thespecific material under evaluation. In order to establish a reliablemethod to evaluate the relative performance of these novel productscompared to the activity of the individual components, blends ofcomponents and commercially available demulsifying agents, as used atdifferent locations, an average overall performance rating was devisedas follows:

    ______________________________________                                        No, or very little activity                                                                    0         indicating good                                    little activity  P (poor)  commercially sig-                                  substantial activity                                                                           F (fair)  nificant activity                                  excellent activity                                                                             G (good)                                                     equal to or better than                                                       material in use                                                               ______________________________________                                    

In this rating scheme the field standard, the commercial materialactually in use at the particular location, is given a G rating, whileall experimental materials are judged relatively to this standard.

Table F illustrates the effectiveness of the novel compositions of thisinvention upon evaluation at various locations.

                                      TABLE F                                     __________________________________________________________________________           EXAMPLE NO. OF                                                         EXAMPLE                                                                              MATERIAL TESTED         AVG. PERFORMANCE RATING                        __________________________________________________________________________    78     65                      G                                              79     66                      G                                              80     67                      F                                              81     blend of components of 65 but no vinyl monomer                                                        O                                              82     68                      P                                              83     69                      F                                              84     70                      P-F                                            85     71                      P-F                                            86     72                      P                                              87     73                      G                                              88     74                      G                                              89     75                      F-G                                            90     76                      P                                              91     77                      F                                              92     blend of components of 75 but no vinyl monomer                                                        O                                              93     blend of components of 76 but no vinyl monomer                                                        O                                              94     blend of components of 77 but no vinyl monomer                                                        O                                              95     31                      O-P                                            96     58                      O                                              97     43                      P                                              98     17                      O-P                                            99     42                      O-P                                            100    51                      O                                              101    each component of 65 reacted separately with                                                          O                                                     acrylic acid, then blended                                             102    each component of 75 reacted separately with                                                          O                                                     acrylic acid, then blended                                             __________________________________________________________________________

In order to specifically illustrate superior performance of the novelcompositions of this invention, the following test is described indetail, using the reaction product of Example 66 tested against severalcommerically used demulsifiers at one specific location and well. Thiswell, in production at Pennel Field, produced an emulsion with about 15%BS (basic sediment) and 20% free water at about 38°-43° C. which, withknockout drops, ground out to 31% water total.

To obtain results which would more or less predict treatment through theparticular treatment system in use, 100 ml samples of produced fluidwere treated with the indicated amounts of chemical, followed bymechanical shaking (200 shakes/minute for 2 minutes). The samples weresubsequently observed for 15 minutes at ambient temperature at observeany fast water drop. Next, the samples were placed in a 50° C. bath andobserved after intervals of 15 and 30 minutes. Finally, the samples weregently shaken 25 times (to imitate the water wash in the system) andground out fairly close to the interface after another half hoursettling at ambient temperature.

Table G summarizes results from this particular test.

                                      TABLE G                                     __________________________________________________________________________                                                       GROUND OUT                 DEMULSIFIER                                                                            MICRO-                                                                             H.sub.2 O DOWN 15                                                                       H.sub.2 O DOWN, 50°C.                                                                  FINAL H.sub.2 O   TOTAL               (10% Solution)                                                                         LITERS                                                                             MIN. AMBIENT                                                                            15 MINUTES                                                                            30 MINUTES                                                                            30 MIN AMBIENT                                                                           H.sub.2 O                                                                        BS  WATER               __________________________________________________________________________    A        40   0         Trace   10      18         1  3.0 2.8                 B        40   0         Trace   12      25         1  3.0 2.7                 A        50   0         Trace   15      35         .3 2.1 1.6                 A        70   0         Trace   25      27         .2 1.7 1.4                 C        30   0         0       Trace   Trace      28 6   32                  C        50   0         5       25      27         .8 1.4 2.8                 C.       80   0         5       25      29            .4  .9                  EX. 66   80   Trace     8       29      30         .3 .7  .6                           50   Trace     5       19      29         .4 .6  .8                           40   0         Trace   25      27         .2 .6  1.2                          35   0         Trace   26      27         .2 .8  1.1                          50   0         Trace   20      27         .8 .4  1.5                 EX. 81   25   0         0       20      23         1.2                                                                              .1  1.6                          40   0         Trace    5      14         19 4.1 22                  __________________________________________________________________________

In this example, A and B are commercial chemicals which are in use atthe test well. C is another commercial product previously used. Note howclearly the initial water drop is enhanced with the demulsifier of thisinvention and how much less of this product can be used to still obtaingood treatment. Also, note how a blend of the same ingredients whichhave not been reacted to form a novel composition (Example 81) shows noactivity.

While the illustrative embodiments of the invention have been describedwith particularity, it will be understood that various othermodifications will be apparent to and can be readily made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claimsappended hereto be limited to the examples and descriptions set forthherein but rather than the claims be construed as encompassing all thefeatures of patentable novelty which reside in the present invention,including all features which would be treated as equivalents thereof bythose skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

We claim:
 1. Composition comprising the reaction product of (a) a blendof at least two polyoxyalkylene oxide block copolymers, at least one ofwhich is derived from a polyoxyalkylene glycol and a diglycidyl ether,and (b) a vinyl monomer, said reaction product being partiallycrosslinked.
 2. Composition of claim 1 wherein said blend contains apolyoxyalkylene oxide block copolymer which is an oxyalkylatedalkylphenol/aldehyde resin.
 3. Composition of claim 2 wherein said resinis a blend of an oxyethylated nonylphenol/aldehyde resin and anoxyethylated, oxypropylated nonylphenol/aldehyde resin.
 4. Compositionof claim 3 wherein said glycol is dipropylene glycol and said ether is adiglycidyl ether of bisphenol A.
 5. Composition of claim 2 wherein saidresin is a blend of an oxyethylated, oxypropylatedt-butylphenol/aldehyde resin and an oxyethylated, oxypropylatedbutyl/nonylphenol/aldehyde resin.
 6. Composition of claim 5 wherein saidglycol is dipropylene glycol and said ether is a diglycidyl ether ofbisphenol A.
 7. Composition of claim 2 wherein said glycol isdipropylene glycol and said ether is a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A.8. Composition of claim 1 wherein said blend contains a polyoxyalkyleneoxide block copolymer which is an oxyalkylated alkylene polyamine. 9.Composition of claim 8 wherein said oxyalkylated polyamine is anoxyalkylated, oxypropylated triethylene tetramine.
 10. Composition ofclaim 8 wherein said oxyalkylated polyamine is an oxyethylated,oxypropylated tetraethylene pentamine.
 11. Composition of claim 1wherein said monomer is acrylic acid.
 12. Composition of claim 1 whereinsaid monomer is methacrylic acid.
 13. Composition of claim 1 whereinsaid monomer is vinyl acetate.
 14. Composition of claim 1 wherein saidmonomer is 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate.
 15. Composition of claim 1wherein said monomer is acrylonitrile.
 16. Composition of claim 1wherein said monomer is methyl acrylate.
 17. Composition of claim 1wherein said monomer is maleic anhydride.
 18. Composition of claim 1wherein at least one of said polyoxyalkylene oxide block copolymers issubjected to oxyalkylation prior to reaction with said vinyl monomer.19. Process of preparing the composition of claim 18 which comprisesoxyalkylating said blend, reacting said oxyalkylated blend with a vinylmonomer to afford a reaction product thereof and partially condensingsaid reaction product.
 20. Method of demulsifying a water-in-oilemulsion which comprises incorporating therein an effective demulsifyingamount of a composition of claim
 18. 21. Composition of claim 18 whereinsaid copolymer is derived from a polyoxyalkylene glycol and a saturateddiglycidyl ether.
 22. Composition of claim 21 which further contains anoxyalkylated alkylphenol/aldehyde/resin.
 23. Composition of claim 22which further contains an oxyalkylated alkylene polyamine. 24.Composition of claim 23 wherein said vinyl monomer is acrylic acid. 25.Composition of claim 23 wherein said vinyl monomer is methacrylic acid.26. Composition of claim 22 wherein said vinyl monomer is acrylic acid.27. Composition of claim 22 wherein said vinyl monomer is methacrylicacid.
 28. Composition of claim 1 wherein said copolymers are derivedfrom the condensation of an oxyethylated, oxypropylated dipropyleneglycol and the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and the vinyl monomer isacrylic acid.
 29. Process for preparing the composition of claim 1 whichcomprises reacting said blend and said vinyl monomer to afford areaction product thereof and partially condensing said reaction product.30. Method of demulsifying a water-in-oil emulsion which comprisesincorporating therein an effective demulsifying amount of a compositionof claim 1.